Robin Hood

The BCLA2016 ‘Salvage’ Conference is proud to present a world-premiere performance telling the story of the legendary Norman outlaw Aedric Silvaticus Salvage. The tale will be told by student dancers and actors directed by Peter Cann. Musical direction will be by Dr Chris Foster and scenography by Paul Brownbill. Please read on for a synopsis of the event.

Salvage (working title)

We are such stuff as dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with a sleep(Shakespeare, The Tempest)

The performance will be based on fragments from the story of Wild Edric – or Aedric Silvaticus Salvage as he was known by the Normans.

He was a Shropshire warlord who was a leader in the rebellions against William I between 1068 and 1070. He finally submitted to Norman rule in 1070 and fought for William in his campaign against the Scots.

This much is documented – including his leadership of the Silvatici – the wild people. During the rebellion Edric’s soldiers became expert and successful guerrillas, spending much of their time living in the woods, emerging to harry the Normans, sacking towns and castles on the Welsh borders and disappearing again. These bands of Silvatici were the inspiration for the folktale of Robin Hood and his outlaws.

Then in the late eleventh century he disappeared and he became a legend. Continue reading →